Lifeguard

From ArticleWorld


A lifeguard is a person specially trained to oversee and rescue swimmers, with a strong training in first aid techniques. A lifeguard should be able to perform water rescue, first aid, CPR and many others. The qualification itself was first certified in 1906, in Australia.

Duties

Despite common conception, a lifeguard's first concern should be prevention. A strong rule enforcement is often necessary, not allowing swimmers to go too far in the ocean or stay for too long in the water if they are unable to swim for a long time.

Surveillance is usually enough for this, as lifeguards should especially look for swimmers who stay in the water but don't move, or swimmers who strive to stay at the surface. Based on his observations, the lifeguard should decide whether an intervention is required, and if so, what it should involve. A lifeguard may decide intervention is required even when the swimmer is healthy, but seems tired, and not calling for help.

Continuous training is required, as a rescue action may often involve a significant amount of physical and mental effort. Therefore, a lifeguard should always be fit and able for effort. Excellent communication skills are also required, which is another reason why many lifeguards are teenage students who work part-time.

Competitions

An interesting event is the Surf Lifesaving competition, which is the largest athletic event after the Olympic Games. Both physical and technical challenges are involved, attracting a large number of participants and spectators. It is common for such competitions to involve an Iron Man event. Other important competitions involve the events at Parlee Beach (New Brunswick) and Risser's Beach, in Nova Scotia.

Popular culture

Lifeguards have had a significant impact in popular culture, especially after the worldwide success of Baywatch. Lifeguards are often associated with young and very physically appealing people.